New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-08
las JERSEY CITY BEEN ROBBED I
RUMORS OF 4 BIG DISCREPANCY.

EXPERTS AT WORK on TIE BOOKS OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Rumors were circulated yesterday that experts who
have been at work for about two books and
accounts OF Jersey City had discovered largo discrep
ancy In the Department OF Public Works Tie first inti
nation that her, something wrong came from FL
nance Commissioner Warren At meeting OF the Board
OF Finance. Commissioner Warren offered resolution
directing the clerk TO to the Board OF Public
Works certain payrols for done In laying and re
pairing water pipes. In explanation OF the resolution
Mr. Warren said: "I have in my possession bunch OF
bills and payrolls that would desk before me-
had determined to present most Of these bills at ths
meeting had confidence In those who certify to their
correctness, but will not do was Informed this
evening that there has been great deal OF extravagan
and loose conduct the part Of one In the
Board of Public Works. The information came from
those employed by this board to examine the
accounts of the several city officers. The
report OF the experts will probably be
ready for next meeting sincerely hope that my
present fears Will not be realized but IL they are the
words exravagant waste and loose conduct will he too
mild to apply to tho Gaze intend to examine every
bill in the future closely possible and will judge for
myself and trust TO one"
The Commissioners statement created excitement and
rumors went out that deficiency had been discovered
amounting anywhere from $4,000 to 100000 What
the exact amount Is will not be known until tho experts
make their report next week Tie officials who arc sup
posed To know something about the matter are recent
ana refuse to give any Information. 1t is known that
whatever discrepancy has been discovered Is In the De-
partment OF Extensions and Distributions, which has
charge Of laying and repairing water pipe. The Board
OF Works has made practice for years OF purchasing
pipe by tho load aud thus evading the city
charter. which prohibits the purchase of supplies
beyond the amount OF $500 without contract Mayor
Cleveland called the attention or the board 10 this eva
sion than and directed that bids he adj
versed for and contracts made The board continued
its former method OF purchasing until the Ma,or refused
TO sign the warrants for payment and then contract
mado for 1000 lengths OF the pipe IL Is SAID mat
the perts discovered large discrepancy between
the quantity OF pipe paid for and the quantity delivered
Mayor Cleveland said 10 n reporter last night that no
had suspected for time that there something
wrong in that department and that was the reason he
had insisted srenuousy that the pipe must ne pr
chased under contract 10 not know positively that
there IL anything wrong said the Mayor, nor DO
know what the experts have discovered but their report
will show whether suspicious are correct or other
wise. It's supposed that pipe has been paid Tor whcn
has never been delivered TO the city"
Commissioner Warren n looks as II there had been
stealing going lie declined 10 whether tile
shortage would be more than 100000 or less COM
missioner Somers of the BOar OF Public Works. sad lie
supposed there some ertraysgance. as pipe which
should have cost 30 cents foot ally cost dollar sev
eral other officials but positively declined 10
make any satemcntunt tho experts present their re-
mort